Bihar is set to revolutionize India’s electoral landscape with the launch of the nation’s first-ever e-voting application. This groundbreaking initiative, allowing citizens to cast their ballots from the comfort of their homes, marks a significant step towards a more accessible and inclusive democratic process.
Historic Rollout for Municipal Elections
State Election Commissioner Deepak Prasad announced on Friday, June 28, 2025, that e-voting will be piloted during the upcoming municipal corporation elections. This initial phase will cover three municipal corporations in Patna and two each in Rohtas and East Champaran, totaling six councils. The primary goal of this pilot project is to enhance voter accessibility, especially for those who face challenges reaching traditional polling booths, while simultaneously ensuring robust security and transparency through advanced technological solutions.
Who Benefits from e-Voting?
The newly introduced e-voting facility is specifically designed to empower voters who are unable to visit polling centers. This includes senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, migrant workers, and those with severe illnesses. According to Deepak Prasad, an impressive 10,000 voters have already registered for e-voting, and approximately 50,000 voters are expected to exercise their franchise through this digital method, bypassing the need for physical presence at polling stations.
How Does the e-Voting System Work?
The new e-voting service is built on cutting-edge technology meticulously designed to maintain a secure and tamper-proof democratic process.
- Blockchain Technology: This robust system ensures that all votes are recorded and collected securely in an unchangeable ledger, safeguarding against manipulation.
- Facial Authentication: Beyond login, facial authentication and matching help verify the voter’s identity during the voting process, adding an extra layer of security.
- Digital Scanning and OCR: Digital scanning combined with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology assists in accurately calculating votes, minimizing errors.
- Audit Trails: Similar to Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the e-voting system incorporates audit trails to effectively track votes.
- Enhanced Security: The system provides digital locks on EVM strongrooms, offering an additional layer of physical safety, even for traditional polling processes running in parallel.
Combating Fraud: Robust Security Measures
The e-voting system incorporates stringent measures to prevent fraudulent activities:
- Limited Logins: Only two registered voters can log in using a single mobile number, curbing potential misuse.
- ID Verification: Each vote is meticulously verified against the voter’s identification details to ensure its legitimacy.
Prasad emphasized the implementation of strong digital security protocols to ensure the integrity of the process, assuring that migrant laborers, overseas voters, the elderly, senior citizens, disabled voters, pregnant women, and severely ill voters can all confidently use this method to cast their votes.
Registering for e-Voting in Bihar: A Step-by-Step Guide
The Bihar State Election Commission has outlined a simple registration process for voters interested in using the mobile e-voting facility:
- Download the e-SECBHR App: The application is currently available exclusively for Android devices.
- Link Mobile Number: Link the app to the mobile number registered in your voter list.
- Cast Your Vote: Once verified, you can cast your vote either through the State Election Commission’s official website or directly via the e-SECBHR app on election day.
Officials have highlighted the user-friendly nature of this process, ensuring that even first-time digital voters can navigate it with ease and without confusion.